EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I developed my conservation ethic and love for low waste living during my childhood in Dallas, Texas, traveling to the local dump and recycling center with my dad, sorting out the plastics from the aluminums and washing out zip lock bags, still sticky from recent PB&Js.

I moved to the Methow Valley with my partner Clay in early 2020 following a successful tenure as head of the camp department for Girl Scouts of Western Washington based out of Seattle. I have spent the last several years building a global climate action and sustainable peace movement called BioEarth while also cultivating local relationships and a deep sense of place rooted here in the valley. I am an educator and storyteller at heart and enjoy exploring how individuals, organizations, and communities learn. I am excited to bring my passion for environmental education, low waste living, non-profit management, and community-centered relationships to the Methow Recycles team.

When I’m not working, you can find me taking pictures of local flora and fauna, writing poetry, hiking with my pack of three dogs, playing in the woods and rivers, listening to live music, dancing, and generally nurturing my sense of magic and childlike wonder with my human and more-than-human kin.

I can be reached at director@methowrecycles.org.

COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Early adventures in my Northern California home filled me with a deep love for the outdoors. I was inspired at an early age to learn that we have choices in the way we live our lives which can positively impact our planet and was determined to help others to want to make those choices. From putting simple cardboard boxes in my classrooms to collect recyclables and organizing trash pick-ups, to participating in green campus initiatives at UC Santa Cruz, then returning as a naturalist to the outdoor school that gave me that initial spark, I have continued to follow my love for environmental education. As a resident of the Methow Valley I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to continue this amazing work and be a part of the vision to make the valley a fully sustainable, thriving community. You can email me at aspen@methowrecycles.org.

RECYCLING PROGRAM LEAD

My family and I have loved spending our time in the Methow Valley since we bought some land in Lost River near Mazama in 2005. In 2021 we decided to downsize and simplify our lives and move to the Valley full-time and settled into our home just south of Twisp. While attending college in Bellingham in the late-80s I was impressed with the curbside recycling program. Bellingham has always been a progressive town and was an early adopter of curbside recycling. I see similar acceptance and engagement in the Methow Valley when it comes to conservation and stewardship of resources. That’s why I’m excited to be working at Methow Recycles with a team of people with a similar passion for our environment. I enjoy hiking, Nordic skiing, fishing, and riding atvs and snowmobiles with my family.

OPERATIONS COORDINATOR

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, my family and I moved to The Methow Valley in 2022. We love being part of a community that is so environmentally conscious and being around people who share the mindset of doing what we can to take care of our planet. When I am not at the Recycling Center, you can find me fine tuning my cosmetic tattooing skills or taking my horse out for a trail ride. You can email me at kelani@methowrecycles.org.

RECYCLING PROGRAM ASSISTANT

In 1978 we first came to the Methow Valley to build a log cabin at the end of the Rendezvous. My wife and I joined our daughter and her family here permanently after I retired. I have a profound appreciation for the beauty of our landscape and the effort needed to keep it pristine. As campus greeter, I see people coming here to recycle from all over the area to make use of our extraordinarily comprehensive program.